Spokane Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

U.S. Attorney’s Office
February 07, 2014

Eastern District of Washington(509) 353-2767

SPOKANE—Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Todd Anthony Sawyer, Jr., age 28, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Robert H. Whaley sentenced Sawyer to a 10-year term of imprisonment and a five-year term of court supervision following release from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on March 27, 2013, the United States Probation Office received information from a Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) Community Corrections Officer that Sawyer was in possession of methamphetamine at his residence in Spokane, Washington. At the time, Sawyer was under court supervision for a 2009 conviction for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. As a condition of supervised release, Sawyer was prohibited from using or possessing controlled substances. Based on the information received from DOC, the United States Probation Office requested the assistance of certified drug-detection canine with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and proceeded to Sawyer’s residence. The WSP’s drug-detection canine alerted on a T-Mobile bag located under the only bed in the residence. The canine’s handler, a Washington State Patrol trooper, looked inside the T-Mobile bag and found 202 grams of pure methamphetamine. The trooper also found an electronic scale commonly used to weigh controlled substances. Sawyer was charged with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, and he pled guilty to that crime on September 12, 2013

Michael C. Ormsby said, “I commend the officers of the Spokane Police Department; Spokane Violent Crimes Gang Enforcement Team, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force; Washington State Patrol; United States Marshals Service; and United States Drug Enforcement Administration for their efforts in investigating this methamphetamine case. Their strong working partnership is reflected by the successful prosecution of this case. Federal and local law enforcement officers in the Eastern District of Washington continue to work together to root out the scourge of drug trafficking in this district. With their assistance, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for traffickers distributing controlled substances in our communities.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Police Department; Spokane Violent Crimes Gang Enforcement Team, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force; Washington State Patrol; United States Marshals Service; and United States Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.